Life Events
Life constantly changes and throughout your career and into retirement, you’ll most likely experience a number of life events. It’s important to let us know about any changes as some life events may impact your DERP Pension Benefits.
Below is a list of qualifying life events. Each includes the information and guidance you need to ensure your MyDERP.org account is current, so you can continue to protect yourself, your loved ones and have a peace of mind throughout all the stages of your career and retirement.
New Members
New employees are automatically enrolled in DERP. But in order to have easy, secure access to your account information and to keep DERP informed of life events, you need to set up your MyDERP.org account. Once you complete the one-time registration process, your MyDERP.org account will be active.
Set up your MyDERP.org account now.
Visit the New Members page to find out the four steps you need to take to get your retirement plan on track from the start.
Review and Update Your Beneficiaries
It’s important to review and update your beneficiaries periodically to ensure that any benefits payable upon your death are paid as you desire.
Log in to your MyDERP.org account and click the Beneficiary button.
Change of Residence and/or Contact Information
If you have moved, plan to move, have a new phone number, or new email address, you’ll want to update your information so you continue to receive important news and information about your account.
Active members – You must update your address and contact information in Workday. Once you do that, it will be updated in your MyDERP.org account.
Retired members – Log in to your MyDERP.org account to update your address and contact information. Keep in mind that your address determines what health insurance options are available to you. Moving out of your current zip code may affect your eligibility to maintain your current coverage. Email Help@DERP.org for more information.
New Bank Account
Do you have a new bank account? Did you close a bank account? Make sure to let us know if you make any changes to your bank account so you continue to receive your monthly benefit payment.
Retired members – Log in to your MyDERP.org account to update your direct deposit information.
Returning to Work After Retirement
If you decide to work for the city during your retirement, re-employment may affect your DERP Pension Benefits. In order for your DERP Pension Benefits to not be interrupted:
- You must be separated from employment and not receive any monies from the city, including any payment for accrued vacation and sick leave, for a minimum of 30 days, after retirement.
- You cannot work more than 1,000 hours in any calendar year after the initial date of re-employment.
If you don’t wait at least the minimum amount of time before resuming employment, or work more than 1,000 hours in a calendar year, your DERP Pension Benefits will be suspended and you shall be considered re-employed with the city in a DERP-benefitted position.
You will be required to pay the applicable employee contributions to DERP, and in return will receive additional service credit until you separate again from employment. At that time, your initial retirement benefit will resume. You will be required to apply for an additional retirement benefit, to be calculated based upon the new service and earnings accrued during the re-employment period. This new benefit will be paid in addition to the previously calculated benefit.
Visit the Returning to Work page for more information.
Change in Marital Status
A change in marital status is not only a major life change, it can also affect the potential benefits from your retirement plan and what happens to your benefits upon your death.
Active members – You may want to update your beneficiary designation to include your new spouse. Log in to your MyDERP.org account and click the Beneficiary button.
Retired members – Once retired, you cannot change your beneficiary, even in the event of marriage, divorce or death. If you have a change in your marital status, email Help@DERP.org and ask how the change may impact you.
Birth or Adoption
Congratulations! We know you’re busy adapting to your new world with your new family member, but you may want to review your beneficiary designations.
Log in to your MyDERP.org account and click the Beneficiary button.
Disability
Living with a disability can be challenging for you and your family. DERP is here to assist you in navigating the steps to a potential Disability Retirement.
Visit the DERP Plus Benefits Disability Retirement page for information.
Separation from Employment
DERP wants to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions.
If you are an eligible City and County of Denver employee in the Career Service, an employee of the Denver Health and Hospital Authority covered by DERP, or a DERP staff member, and separated from employment, you’ll fall into one of three categories:
Not Vested – If you have less than five years of service credit, you are not vested with DERP. This means you can request a refund of your employee contributions or roll them over to another qualified retirement account.
Log in to your MyDERP.org account and click the Refund of Contributions button.
Vested and Not Age-Eligible for DERP Benefits – If you have at least five years of service credit when you separate, you are eligible to receive a monthly lifetime DERP Pension Benefit as early as age 55 or 60 depending on your membership tier. If you do not yet meet the age requirement, you will want to make sure you keep your contact and beneficiary information current with DERP. A membership services representative will contact you about applying for your monthly lifetime DERP Pension Benefit and signing up for DERP Plus Benefits 90 days prior to eligibility.
Log in to your MyDERP.org account to view/update your contact and beneficiary information.
Vested and Age-Eligible for DERP Benefits – If you have at least five years of service credit upon separation and are at least age 55 or 60 (depending on your membership tier), you are eligible to start receiving your monthly lifetime DERP Pension Benefit, and DERP Plus Benefits as early as the first of the month following your separation date.
Visit the Ready to Retire page for an overview and the steps to take to apply for your DERP Pension Benefit.
Retirement
Congratulations! You are almost ready to enjoy the next stage of your life! Once you enter retirement, it will be more important than ever to keep DERP informed of life events. From updating your beneficiaries, address or family status to returning to work, these events all impact your DERP benefits. Keep us informed through your MyDERP.org account.
Ready to apply for your DERP Pension Benefit? Visit the Ready to Retire page for an overview and the steps to take apply for you DERP Pension Benefit.
Death
The death of an active, inactive, or retired member of the Denver Employee Retirement Plan (DERP) can be a confusing and complicated time for the member’s survivors. If you pass away while actively working in a DERP-covered job, your survivors may qualify for joint and survivor benefits.
Read the guidance below so you and your survivors can plan for this event.
Notify DERP. It is important to report the death of a member as soon as possible to prevent delays in payments to beneficiaries.
We’ll need the following information:
- Deceased’s
- Full name, address, and birth date
- Date of death
- DERP ID or Social Security Number
- Caller’s relationship to the deceased
- Primary contact for more information
- Name, address, and phone number
Visit the DERP Plus Benefits Death page for more information.